Dorney Park Online

Future of the Zephyr

Future of the Zephyr

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 5:58 pm

by RollerCoasting

I'm sure I speak for most of us DP enthusiasts when I say that I appreciate the Zephyr and it's history. It's a pretty unique ride and an enjoyable one too. I just can't help but think of what can be done to help improve it though.

I would really love to see the original paint scheme returned to it rather than the odd purple and yellow. A second train, reopening of the second station and extended route would also be a nice refresh for this classic ride. The route also can be made more scenic. I'm disappointed every time I ride it just to look at a fence on the left side. Hopefully the future sees some changes for the better for the Zephyr. Your thoughts?

Re: Future of the Zephyr

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 10:08 am

by Kozmo 1

I agree totally. The purple color is getting old. Either back to silver or something other than purple at least. Silver w/red stripe would be cool. I even sorta liked the blue with white trim they had before the purple.

And yes, the scenery has really gone down hill over the years. Starting with the filling in of the creek and the removal of the upper lake. I wonder how/if it could be expanded. I don't ever see it happening, but maybe. They haven't torn down the CCPL station yet, so maybe there's hope of it reopening at some point. Especially if they would really improve and expand that corner of the park. Don't know if they can do anything with the CCPL site or not, but there's tons of space down that way. I'd also hope at some point dinos leaves and can free up more space back there.

Re: Future of the Zephyr

Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:04 pm

by Hooky965

Completely agree on changing the paint. I have no idea why they went with the "barney" scheme to begin with. I can't recall anything that it fit with at the time that it happened, and it's not exactly improving with age. I'd be good with either silver or white.

As for the ride itself, it's unfortunately misplaced now. It used to have a reason to go where it did, even when the station was closed. It circled back to the old pools/whale boats/seals, and going around the creek when it was deeper and had the skooter boats running was at least something. Now? Fence, a shallow creek, and awkwardly empty space. I really don't think that there's much that can be done with the run, as the park probably looks at this thing as something that doesn't cost that much to run for what it does, so they'll keep it like it is. It could be much more, but I'm not optimistic.

Re: Future of the Zephyr

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 10:14 am

by RollerCoasting

To theme it like a train in the early 1930's would be really neat. Maybe even adding a replica California Zephyr as a second train too.

Re: Future of the Zephyr

Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 6:44 pm

by mandylouwho

We just took this loop the other day. With Stinger closed its just creepy. You really don't see anything. I think maybe an audio while its running would be good...telling you the history of the zephyr and what each spot used to hold...